Earlier today, the City of Vancouver confirmed that oil contamination was discovered at New Brighton Beach, near the Pacific National Exhibition fairgrounds and the Iron Workers Second Narrows Bridge. It will be cleaned up tomorrow by crews.

Strong currents and tidal changes at the narrow point of Burrard Inlet near the Lions Gate Bridge likely played a factor in ‘flushing’ the oil debris deep into the city’s inner harbour.

Meanwhile, Park Board rangers and trained members from the Neighbourhood Emergency Assistance Team are patrolling the city’s shoreline to search for oil contamination, wildlife in need of treatment, and prevent the public and pets from coming in contact with the toxic substance.

At least twelve oiled birds were spotted today and another three have been taken into a refuge for treatment.

Anyone who sees oil debris or wildlife in distress is asked to take a photo with the location and post it onto the City of Vancouver’s Facebook page with the name of the park or the beach. Alternatively, they can call 604-873-7000 to report it to City staff. Any information received will be relayed to cleanup crews.

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The Coast Guard also provided an update on the amount of bunker fuel oil that has been recovered to date.

They claimed only six litres of the estimated 3,000 litres spilled remained in English Bay as of Friday evening, an observation based on flyovers by Transport Canada’s Dash 8 surveillance aircraft. But this does not account for the amount of oil that submerged under the water.

Federal inspectors are examining the Marathassa, the source of the leak, to ensure there is no more leakage. The grain-carrying cargo vessel was built in Japan and departed the shipyard just two months ago.

The vessel was anchored in the middle of Burrard Inlet for its maiden voyage and to pick up grain.